The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1887-01-20

the Rock of Ages. But, Isaid to him
the evidence against you is very
strong. You have stood before three tri
bunals and they have all practically
pronounced you guilty-guilty o
seduction, falsehood, and a double
murder. Now, said I, if you are
guilty your guilt is terrible, and whar
| have to say to you is that if l have
read the Word of God Alright you dare
not go to the judgment bar with your
unconfessed guilt upon you with any
hope of finding mercy. | reminded
him that he must not expect, aftel
committing SO deadly a sin and
locking it up with repeated denial, to
find favor in the eyes of an all-wise
and just Judge.
AS TO CONFESSION.
Reporter: That was pretty solemn
talk. Did you urge him very strenu.
ously to make confession?
DR.. Hatcher: My notions about the
confession of sin as a religious duty
are very clear, and, perhaps peculiar
| was very careful not to mislead him
as to the nature, value, and necessity
of a confession of sin. On the one
hand, did seek faithfully to impress
upon him that there could not be Sal
vation without confession, and that
this was true in his case. He had de
MED that he was a murderer, and, il
guilty, he had made a covenant with
his own sins and had sought to deceive
the law and the people. l told him
there could be no mercy for one in
that state of mind without a comics
sion. On the other hand, it seemed
equally necessary to guard him from
supposing that all that was necessary
to put him right with God was con
fession. l made no startling appeal:
to his fears, and had no wish, if l haC
had the power, to scare him into {
mechanical confession. | sought *
show him that a confession, if real anc
acceptable before God, was only th'
outward voice of an inward repentance
that he who saw his guilt and SO deepl,
lamented it that he was constrained t.
confess it openly and without reserv
might hope to find forgiveness throug'
the merits of Christ's blood. l CAV
him as simply as l could my reason
/ for insisting that he, if guilty, shoul'
make a public confession that woul'
cover the whole territory of his guilt.
FAMILY CONFERENCE.
Reporter: Was that ALP
DR.. Hatcher: | am glad you aske
me. 1t affords me an opportunity {
making another statement which tn
public ought to have. The same da
on which | had this interview with tn
prisoner I sought conference with
representative of his family, and no
! give you the substance of what | said
81 am the spiritual adviser of you
kinsman, who is condemned to deatf
Whether he is innocent or guilty
know not. IF he is innocent, then
have nothing to say except to EXPIRE:
a sympathy none the less profound be
cause unavailing. But, if he is guilt,
then | wish the family to know that
maintain that it is his duty to confe
the crime and that l fully intend t
urge it upon him. Now | wish
know the attitude that the family wi
assume in this matter. 1t will not |
without its advantage to them for hi
to die with a denial upon his lips.
may help their reputation, but it wi
be at the expense of his soul. Am
to have the thorough support of Il
family in my attempt to lead him to
confession, or will they get in my way;
This, you will admit, was seve
and painful talk, to me, at least.
Reporter: You were certainly Gu
ting to the core of the question. d
you ever get any reply?
DR.. Hatcher: Yes; and very promp
ly. Here it is: awe. believe tn
Tommie is innocent. We have n
one doubt on that question. Not Oh
of us believes that he is a murdere
And yet we do not knoz0. But on Of
point we are all agreed-y he is gnf.
tn z0hoIe or in part aUe aOant him
confess it, and we ask you to deal fait
fully with him. AS for our reputatio
let that perish, but let his soul
, saved"
Reporter: Wasn't that satisfacto
to you? Did that seem to be t
course pursued by the family to t
last?
DR.. Hatcher: I could not ha
asked more, and | have no reason
suspect that any pressure was broug
to bear upon him from any directi
l to prevent confession.
| Reporter: Did you ever tell Gu,
rius Of this interview with his family
J. DR.. Hatcher: OF course [ did. II
was my object at first. | wanted
l the support that l could get in dealt
j with him.
4 ASSERTS HIS INNOCENCE AGAIN.
IT Reporter: What did the prison
e say to all this?
e DR.. Hatcher: He said that he Z
e preciated my situation, and that
e would not blame me even if | were
c express the conviction Of his guilt.